Shloka 4.1.96
पम्पा-तीर-वर्णनम् / Rama’s Lament at Pampa and the Approach to Rishyamuka
नह्येवं रमणीयेषु शाद्वलेषु तया सह।रमतो मे भवेच्चिन्ता न स्पृहाऽन्येषु वा भवेत्।।।।
nahy evaṃ ramaṇīyeṣu śādvaleṣu tayā saha |
ramato me bhavec cintā na spṛhā ’nyeṣu vā bhavet ||
Truly, if I could delight here with her upon these lovely grassy meadows, no anxiety would remain in me, nor would I yearn for any other pleasure.
'If I can sport with Sita in this beautiful green grassy land, I will not have any worry, I would not desire for any other pleasure.
Right desire (dharma-aligned kāma): Rāma’s longing is exclusive, lawful, and rooted in fidelity—showing how emotion can remain within dharmic bounds.
Rāma tells Lakṣmaṇa that reunion with Sītā alone would end his mental turmoil, even amidst the forest’s pleasures.
Self-control and loyalty—no diversion into other enjoyments despite opportunity.